Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-08-26

the unDrOken forest OF Broad Mountain
he built his home. Soon pretty lol
cabin was built, which was an ornament Il
the wilderness, and which showed the I'D.
vance of humanity. An adequate piece o.
! ground was next cleared. which resemblec
an oasis in desert, and after the mos
pressing work was done large saw-mil
was built, the ruins of which can be seer
| to this day.
Although living in wilderness and fal
to the nearest village, yet it was happy
] family and no loneliness was felt. MIR.
Brennan was hard worker and kind
; and noble man, while his wife was n loving
companion and helped to make life's bur-
den more easy. Their son and daughter
helped them onward, and We're like fra
grant flowers that Irvine around cot and
impart sweetness to it.
But time came when this happy family
was to be Swallowed by clouded canopy
of gloom and darkness; when the Silver
lining of the clouds was hidden from
mortal sight by threatening and frown-
ing sky of wrath; when the stinss of
wrong and persecution were TO SKATER the
lives of that family and leave them pitiable
objects to all humanity.
This rural and lonely vale was now in
vaded by rough and desperate gang of
miners and adventures, who were in search
of coal, and not far from MIR. Brennan's
home they sunk shaft into the mountain
to find the "balck diamonds"
Among them was a rough and ill-look-
ing young man of about twenty-one years
of age, and he was noted rs being one of
the most desperate and wicked men among
the gang. The moment he saw the lovely
daughter of Mr.. Brennan he began to
pay her marked attention, and afterwards
was frequent visitor at the saw-mill.
Beautiful Edith Brennan soon perceived
the real object of his coming, and could
not but form detestation against his pre-
sumptuous visits. Although she showed
him plainly that his visits were odious to
her, yet he persistently forced them upon
her, and one evening asked her to be his
| wife; and on receiving decided negative
showed little principle by leaving the
! cabin quietly.
For long time nothing was seen of him,
and Edith Brennan began to hope that he
would not trouble her any more; but she
was disappointed in this, for on dark
stormy night, heavy tread was heard out
side, and the next moment Ben Warner
walked into the cabin. The first glance
showed that he was Slightly intoxicated,
and as he walked into the room where the
family was, he fourished revolver, and
said in threatening voice to Mr.. Brennan:
"a few months ago asked your daughter
to be my wife and she refused, this even
ing come again for the same purpose,
and want you to compel her to say yes,
or by thunder will clean out the whole
cabin" With those works he cooked his
revolver and said, Sand I'll only give you q
few moments to decide"
For few minutes the room was silent as
death, and the stiffness was broken by
Edith saying, "Yes, I will be your wife,
Ben Warner" On hearing this the ruffian
was surprised and looked at Edith, but his
surprise was short, for the next moment
he was struck down by tremendous blow
from Mr.. Brennan. The next moment
there was loud report and deadly bullet
sped harmlessly into the wall. His re-
volver was then taken from him and he
was pitched out doors, and the door was
locked.
The curses which he heaped upon Mr..
Brennan were heard inside, and after be-
ing engaged in that occupation for while,
he went to the door and Kissed through the
keyhole, "John Brennan, you shall suffer
for your work tonight, and that idolized
daughter of yours shall find watery
grave" After which all was silent save
the roar of the wind and patter of rain
drops upon the roof.
They were not disturbed any more dur
ing the night, and after inquiring about
him the next day found that he had gone
away, no one knew where. They we're
pleased to hear this, and after short time
forgot that such person existed.
So, one bright morning in May Mr..
Brennan and his son Edward left the
others at home and went to the nearest
village to attend to some business. Ittook
them longer than was expected, and it was
rather late when they started for home.
The day was fearfully hot, and the low,
rumbling sounds that were heard heralded
the coming of a thunder storm; and by the
time they came in sight of their home the
sky was shrouded with frowning clouds,
and looked appalling as the dark mass
came nearer, and was occasionally illumin-
ated by vivid streaks of lightning.
AS they came within few rods from the
cabin, they noticed that the door was open,
but saw no one, nor did any familiar sound
fall upon their ears; and their hearts beat
faster as they came nearer, and they
paused when they came to the door, as if
to hear some familiar sounds, or wait for
Edith to welcome them in.
But they waited in vain; no sounds were
heard, no words spoken, no Edith ap-
peared-all was silent save the echoing
peals that shook the earth.
For moment they looked at each other
and then walked in; the silence was soon
broken by the son pointing to pools of
blood, and saying in voice of agony,
"Father! Oh father! look there!"
AS MI. Brennan saw the pools of blood
he turned pale, his lips quiyered, and he
Io11 - % l.: